•ADRIAN•
The car pulled into the compound and stopped in front of the mansion. I alighted, ignoring the guards who stood in line to greet me, and walked straight inside. In the sitting room, the maids halted their activities to greet me, but I brushed past them, climbing the stairs to the floor where the bedrooms were. I walked down the hallway to the master bedroom, unlocked the door, and stepped inside. Striding to the bathroom, I tossed my suit jacket into the laundry basket and began undressing. Once finished, I deposited the rest of my clothes in the basket and stepped into the shower. After washing up, I stepped out, dried off with a towel, and wrapped another around my waist.
I moved to the vanity, grabbed my body lotion, and rubbed it all over. Once done, I went to the closet and dressed in a dark brown leather jacket and fitted jeans, finishing the look with brown cowboy boots. After styling my hair and spritzing on some cologne, I checked myself in the mirror—ready to go. Just as I debated whether to call Manuel for the club address, my phone rang. His name flashed on the screen.
“Hey, Ad!” Manuel’s overly cheerful voice blasted through, making me wince.
“Hey, Manuel. Are you trying to burst my eardrums? And I’ve told you countless times, my name is Adrian, not Ad. Call me that again, and I’ll make sure you won’t be able to talk for the rest of your life.” My tone was sharp, but he just laughed.
“Oh, Ad, you can’t do that. You love me. Besides, your name is way too hard for me to say. ‘Ad’ is just easier—and you know my life’s mission is to annoy you.” He teased, and I couldn’t help but agree. Frustrating me was practically his hobby, and there was no changing that.
“Whatever. I’m ready. Will you send me the club address, or are you coming to meet me here?”
“I’ll come over. That way, we can head there in your new fancy car,” he replied, sounding pleased.